Biology and therapy of fibromyalgia. Functional magnetic resonance imaging findings in fibromyalgia

Arthritis Res Ther. 2006;8(6):224. doi: 10.1186/ar2094.

Abstract

Techniques in neuroimaging such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have helped to provide insights into the role of supraspinal mechanisms in pain perception. This review focuses on studies that have applied fMRI in an attempt to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the processing of pain associated with fibromyalgia. This article provides an overview of the nociceptive system as it functions normally, reviews functional brain imaging methods, and integrates the existing literature utilizing fMRI to study central pain mechanisms in fibromyalgia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Brain Mapping
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods
  • Female
  • Fibromyalgia / diagnosis*
  • Fibromyalgia / epidemiology
  • Fibromyalgia / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Nociceptors / physiopathology
  • Pain Measurement
  • Pain Threshold
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Somatosensory Cortex / pathology
  • Somatosensory Cortex / physiopathology
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / methods*

Substances

  • Analgesics